For millions of people every year, the holiday season comes with traditions of festive lights and decorations, extraordinary foods and lavish parties. Unfortunately, time-honored traditions can easily end in tragedy if precautions are not taken. A few years ago, Shawn Miller was learned this first-hand.

He went to his mother’s to hang lights outside, like he did every year. Miller’s light came in contact with overhead power lines and he received a high voltage shock. He was hospitalized for months and lost a hand. You can see a video of his full story at SafeElectricity.org.

Miller and Safe Electricity urge everyone to follow these guidelines while decorating for the holiday season:

Never throw holiday lights or other decorations into trees near power lines.

Be especially careful when working near power lines attached to your house. Keep ladders, equipment and yourself at least 10 feet from all power lines.

Outdoors, use only lights, cords, animated displays and decorations rated for outdoor use. Cords should be plugged into outlets equipped with GFCIs. Use a portable GFCI if your outdoor outlets are not equipped with them.

Do not staple or nail through light strings or electrical cords, or attach cords to utility poles.

Don’t string together more than three standard-size sets of lights.

Make sure extension cords are in good condition, are UL-approved and rated to carry the electrical load you will connect to them.

Match plugs with outlets. Don’t force a 3-pronged plug into a 2-pronged outlet or extension cord.

Do not overload outlets. Use surge protector strips if multiple outlets are needed.

Keep electric cords away from high-traffic areas, and don’t run them through doorways, or hide them under rugs or carpets.

Don’t let children or pets play with light strings or electrical decorations.

Place fresh-cut trees away from heat sources, such as heat registers, fireplaces, radiators and televisions; and water frequently.

Always unplug lights before going to bed or leaving your home.

“After something life-changing happens, you become more interested and learn much more,” Miller said. “Had I known more before this happened, I might still have two hands and the job I loved. I have to find ways to move on with my life and help people learn from what has happened to me. Safe Electricity is helping me help others.”